crayfish

noun cray·fish \ ˈkrā-ˌfish \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of crayfish

1 : any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller

2 : spiny lobster

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Recent Examples of crayfish from the Web

And the genome is what has allowed researchers to confirm that crayfish from around the world are essentially clones.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Mutant crayfish got rid of males, and its clones are taking over the world," 6 Feb. 2018
Ostensibly, the publication that describes these results is about the completion of the genome for the marbled crayfish.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Mutant crayfish got rid of males, and its clones are taking over the world," 6 Feb. 2018
This farming, cheese-making, craft beer and wine region is known for its tender Arkady lamb and delicious local freshwater crayfish called marron.

— margo pfeiff, latimes.com, "Coastal road trip in Western Australia is a dream come true," 25 Feb. 2018
The crayfish seemed to be laying eggs without mating.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "This Mutant Crayfish Clones Itself, and It’s Taking Over Europe," 5 Feb. 2018
Try the freshwater or sea eel and anything with shrimp or crayfish.

— carolyn phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "The five Chinese cuisines you’ll see the most in the Bay Area," 9 Feb. 2018
The Barbour’s map turtle, the Big Blue Springs cave crayfish, and the San Felipe gambusia were also left off the list.

— nick tabor, Daily Intelligencer, "55 Ways Donald Trump Structurally Changed America in 2017," 21 Dec. 2017
Also, the food on the cold buffet, including the squid salad, sushi roll with raw salmon and cut melon, and the crayfish from the previous day was kept too warm while hot food such as soup and cooked fish was kept too cold.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Roaches get eight restaurants cited, three of them shut down for the day," 26 Oct. 2017
The center offers students opportunities to touch and observe crabs, crayfish, stingrays, tortoises and snakes.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chula Vista school district receives grant for coastal education," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crayfish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of crayfish

Origin and Etymology of crayfish

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

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First Known Use: 14th century

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CRAYFISH Defined for English Language Learners

crayfish

noun

Definition of crayfish for English Language Learners

: an animal that looks like a small lobster and lives in rivers and streams

CRAYFISH Defined for Kids

crayfish

noun cray·fish \ ˈkrā-ˌfish \

Definition of crayfish for Students

plural crayfish

1 : a freshwater shellfish that looks like the related lobster but is much smaller

2 : spiny lobster

Learn More about crayfish

See words that rhyme with crayfish Spanish Central: Translation of crayfish Nglish: Translation of crayfish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crayfish for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crayfish

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crayfish

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crayfish

Definition of crayfish for English Language Learners

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crayfish

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